Claud Butler info?
 

Hello,just acquired a very original Claud Butler and wondered who might know what I have here?It has bluemels and some Campagnolo parts,Mavic bars and stem and a rear flip flop hub(strange but cool)original Michelin white walls great paint and is all reynolds 531,fork and all. it has a sticker on the top tube that says Torino?the Campagnolo front derailleur has a plate that sits against the seat tube and has a cable stop! never seen that before.ill post some pics and any help would be appreciated,Brad Sasher http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=205157http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=205158

I have never had one of these and have been doing research,but all I come up with that the front mech is about 1967? any thoughts on year oand where to find the serial number would be helpful,thanks Brad

In my expert opinion, you have a gorgeous bike there. and I'm sure all the cogniscenti will agree.

What a beauty! (I'd be happy with just the white Blumels) Love the lugs, understated and elegant. If your ever hard up for cash, PM me. Oh, that was tacky......who cares, I like it!

Thank you Auchen! I appreciate your response,Is there any way to date the bike?I also wondered about equipment.is the bike at its best with the equipment that it came with as I want to keep it or put it to original as possible.I would value you opinion immensely.regards Brad

Have you had a look at the catalogs and info posted on this site?

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/nkilgariff/ClaudButler.htm

Neal

Thanks Neal!!

I'd sure like to see more pics of that, it's very nice...maybe a Holdsworthy CB, but very nice!

Hello Unworthy1,I will send pics to your email,I am a bike guy so lets show it to you ? Brad

Sure, but if you post them here, then everybody gets to enjoy them :D.
Seems the Torino was the Claud Butler badged version of the Holdsworth Mistral (thought it looked familiar!) introduced about '63...continued to be offered until 1976 when the "Colstar" replaced it.

I am a newbie and am not allowed to corespond in private messages at this time,my email address is robertsasher@aol.com.I can then have a conversation with some of you who have had questions,thanks Brad

Hi all,I wondered if there are replacement reflecters for bleumels fenders,the little round reflector on the rear is cracked and is comeing apart in fast order!! Help! its the old plastic, so super glue just sort of eats it :(

You might be able to snag a donor off a Raleigh (or similar) "roadster", I think these might be one of those made-by-Sturmy-Archer products (for another thread). Problem is that Raleigh owners prize those reflectors, too, there could be a Japanese knock-off out there (like CatEye), maybe.

Brad
that's afine looking Claud you have there. Started me thinking about mine. I bought it secondhand in 1982. I have looked on all the sites but nothing quite matches up. The lugs are a bit more ornate than yours, but not much. (I will try to post photos tomorrow). It has campag ends and nervex stamped under the bb. Fork ends are chromed. It has no brazed on pump pegs or bottle brackets, but it does have brazed on cable clips(along th TOP of the top tube), lamp boss and guides under the bb for rear and front derailleurs. Has campag headset, milremo stem and SR bars. Rims are super champion gentleman (not Wolber). Hubs are campag quick release.Brakes are Weinmann 605. Rear derailleur is Suntour Vx but th front derailleur is missing (single SR chainwheel only). Accessories seem to point to late 1970's but frame sems older. Any ideas anyone?

Hi Brad, lovely Claud Butler Torino you've got there! You can look at the catalogues by using the Claud Butler link on the left of the page here: http://www.nkilgariff.com/ . I'd guess an early 1970's model but could just be late 1960's? I've always wanted that model in Daytona yellow to add to my Claud collection!

serial number is 68293 on the rt underside of bottom bracket,is the 68 ,68?

Thanks Oldpeddaller! it's greener in person,actually even more good looking!! serial number is 68293.is 68 actually 68?

Would love pictures of it!!

Most likely. It doesn't always work that way, but the Claud Butler Torino model (actually a re-badged Holdsworth Mistral) was offered from 1967 to July 1976. Your Torino frame is identical in build, including the fork crown, to my 1970 Mistral so that pretty much nails it down to 1968. Lovely looking bike.

Just to explain, Claud Butler was made bankrupt by the Inland revenue (tax man) in 1957 after 29 years in business. His rival Sandy Holdsworth bought the rights to produce Claud Butlers and his company did so very successfully until the late 1980's when that company was sold, the first of many times. Falcon Cycles of Brigg, Lincolnshire now own the name and still market Claud Butler bikes.